27th December [1848 and 1859]

Remaining 1848 journal entries of Mary Brewster will be posted for December 27-31.

On WEDNESDAY [Dec.] 27th [1848] Mary Brewster wrote: “Fresh breezes from NW and thick weather. At 8 AM saw and lowered for whale, larboard boat darted [tried to lance the whale] and missed. This has been quite a change and rather of a nature to break the tediousness of the passage. At sunset spoke the Dover of New London, husband went on board for a few moments. Mrs. Jeffrey and the Capt. [Charles Jeffrey] wife like very much. I feel in hopes the weather will be sufficiently good so I can get on board [gam with Mrs. Jeffrey on board the Dover]. Ends rugged. Sail in.”

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Mary Lawrence’s next journal entries will be posted for December 27 and 28. After that, for the remaining month of December, there is only one additional entry for December 31, 1859.

Mary Lawrence wrote [Thurs.] DECEMBER 27 [1859]: “Captain Willard came on board today with his carpenter, that he might use our turning lathe; but he was not at all successful. Samuel turned two ivory lamp picks for him.”

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Eliza Williams, her husband and their two children, aboard the Florida anchored safely in San Francisco Bay on the afternoon of October 26, 1861; ending a three-year whaling voyage.